KITZBUEHEL 2005: Final training run cancelled after 33 racers

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January 20, 2005

KITZBUEHEL 2005: Final training run cancelled after 33 racers{mosimage}Today’s downhill training run at Kitzbuehel, the last one before racing begins with the super G on Friday, was called off after 33 racers today because of snow and poor visibility. Local weather forecasts do not bode well for the 65th annual Hahnenkamm races, which include the world’s most prestigious downhill.

Kristian Ghedina of Italy had the fastest time of those who finished the course. Like in last year’s downhill race, he pulled a spread eagle off the finish jump. His time was still standing when Thomas Graggaber of Austria, running 31st, crashed upon landing the Hausberg jump near the finish and tumbled into the nets, puncturing his lungs and breaking a bone in his shoulder.

American Daron Rahlves, who wants badly to race here this year, managed to run the course despite major pain in his leg. ‘I fought pretty hard through the pain today just to get a run’ said Rahlves. ‘Where I had a lot of trouble was the Carosel. Then coming into the exit of the Steilhang, it was pretty rough in there.’ Rahlves says tightening his boot is painful, as is hitting the iced terrain features which are especially sharp this year.

Bode Miller finished 21st after intentionally slowing himself before the finish line, hoping to secure an early start position for Saturday’s downhill race. There, the start order will be a reversal of the top 30. But since today’s training run was ultimately cancelled, start positions will be determined by Wednesday’s training run, in which Miller was third.